Resources
Post a Job
 Special offer 

Jumpstart your hiring with a £100 credit to sponsor your first job.*

Sponsored Jobs posted directly on Indeed are 65% more likely to report a hire than non-sponsored jobs**
  • Visibility for hard-to-fill roles through branding and urgently hiring
  • Instantly source candidates through matching to expedite your hiring
  • Access skilled candidates to cut down on mismatched hires
*The £100 Sponsored Job credit offer is only available for new accounts in the UK that post a job and expires one year after account creation. Upon expiration of the credit, users are charged based on Sponsored Job budget. Terms, conditions and quality standards apply **Indeed data, United Kingdom, Q2 2024

Cashier Interview Questions

Edited by Indeed Employer Content Team
Our mission

Indeed’s Employer Resource Library helps businesses grow and manage their workforce. With over 15,000 articles in 6 languages, we offer tactical advice, how-tos and best practices to help businesses hire and retain great employees.

Read our editorial guidelines

Whether you are preparing to interview a candidate or applying for a job, review our list of top Cashier interview questions and answers.

  1. How do you think a cashier can provide exceptional customer service? See answer
  2. Do you have experience handling cash? See answer
  3. How do you stay focused and avoid mistakes while providing customer service? See answer
  4. Describe your ability to work with other employees. See answer
  5. What would you do if a colleague failed to show up to work to take over your till? See answer
  6. How do you feel about working in a fast-paced environment? See answer
  7. What do you think are the most important skills and personality traits of a good cashier? See answer
  8. How would you manage an impatient customer? See answer
  9. Why do you want to work here as a cashier? See answer
  10. How would you grade your communication skills? See answer
  11. How do you stay motivated when performing routine tasks? See answer
  12. Imagine a customer gave you a $50 bill for a $5 item. What change would you give them? See answer
  13. Describe a time you delivered excellent customer service.
  14. What would you do if a customer asked a question, and you didn’t know the answer?
  15. Imagine your supervisor assigned a task that wasn’t part of your job description. What would you do?
Show more questions Show fewer questions

Ready to get started?

Post a job

Ready to get started?

Post a job
Our mission

Indeed’s Employer Resource Library helps businesses grow and manage their workforce. With over 15,000 articles in 6 languages, we offer tactical advice, how-tos and best practices to help businesses hire and retain great employees.

Read our editorial guidelines

15 Cashier Interview Questions and Answers

How do you think a cashier can provide exceptional customer service?

A good cashier is a customer-facing professional with exceptional soft skills. The candidate's response reveals whether they have experience providing excellent customer service. What to look for in an answer:

  • Understanding of customer service importance
  • Driven to provide high-quality service
  • Friendly demeanour

Example:

"I believe a cashier provides excellent customer service by handling customer requests in a friendly and approachable manner. Leaving a good impression is my responsibility, and a key factor in a customer's decision to come back. I believe I can provide quality customer service as a cashier in your organisation."

Do you have experience handling cash?

Cashiers handle cash and card transactions. By asking this question, you determine their experience and comfort level when handling money. It can also reveal their numeracy skills and whether they value trustworthiness and transparency when handling money. What to look for in an answer:

  • Experience managing money
  • Numeracy and quick math skills
  • Integrity and honesty

Example:

"I handled cash for three years at a retail store in my hometown. During this period, I learned to add and subtract quickly and balance my till at the end of my shift. I also know how to use other means of receiving payments, such as Moneris and Square card readers. I believe integrity and honesty are core values of a good cashier, and I'm always accountable for my own till."

How do you stay focused and avoid mistakes while providing customer service?

A cashier needs to pay attention to detail and multitask counting cash and giving customers the correct change. An excellent candidate has various strategies to stay focused when managing money and providing excellent customer service. What to look for in an answer:

  • Ability to count accurately while holding a conversation
  • Understanding of the costly consequences of mistakes
  • Effective communication and numeracy skills

Example:

"I've worked as a cashier for a year, and in that time I've had plenty of practise counting and making change while talking to customers. When I first started, I used to need silence and to focus when handling cash. Now, it's like second nature. I'm aware that making a mistake can cost an organisation money, so I find a quiet place to work when counting my till at the end of my shift."

Describe your ability to work with other employees.

Cashiers typically work alone. Depending on your organisation, they may also need to collabourate with professionals like inventory clerks and floor managers. By asking this question, you can determine whether a candidate is good at working with others. What to look for in an answer:

  • Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
  • Interpersonal and communication skills, especially for providing customer service
  • Willingness to ask for help and assist others

Example:

"In my previous cashier roles, I performed most of my duties independently. I asked for support from my supervisor or other experienced employees whenever I needed it and assisted others when I could. I'm an excellent communicator with excellent interpersonal skills, but am happy working at my own station."

What would you do if a colleague failed to show up to work to take over your till?

Cashiers sometimes face situations when their colleagues aren't available for their shift, and they can't leave the till unattended. The goal of this question is to find out how a candidate manages difficult situations. What to look for in an answer:

  • Enthusiasm for helping where they're needed
  • Desire to ensure cashier duties continue smoothly for customer satisfaction
  • Critical-thinking and problem-solving skills

Example:

"First, I'd call my colleague and ask them why they're late and find out if they're coming to work. I'd then inform my supervisor or manager of the situation to see if they could call in another replacement. I'd resume my duties as to not disrupt the efficiency of the checkout line for customers."

How do you feel about working in a fast-paced environment?

Cashiers receive a constant flow of customers and various forms of payment. This question determines whether a candidate can provide efficient service to customers. What to look for in an answer:

  • Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment
  • Efficiency and ability to multi-task
  • Strong desire to provide high-quality customer service

Example:

"I understand customers may come quickly and continuously in this role. My previous job required me to work in a fast-paced environment and I handled it well. I enjoy being busy and finding ways to work more efficiently. I take breaks when I feel overwhelmed with several tasks and have strategies to maintain work-life balance."

What do you think are the most important skills and personality traits of a good cashier?

A cashier needs other qualities aside from numeracy to succeed. The goal of this question is to find out whether a candidate has other valuable traits that make them a good cashier. What to look for in an answer:

  • Honesty, integrity, and trustworthiness
  • Friendly, outgoing, and a positive attitude
  • Hard skills including math and computer literacy

Example:

"I think being honest, friendly, and being good at basic math are all vital skills for a cashier. Product knowledge, communication skills, and computer literacy are also important. I believe I have the qualities of a good cashier and look forward to applying them in your organisation."

Describe a time you delivered excellent service.

The goal of this question is to determine whether a candidate can meet and exceed targets. A suitable candidate can explain a situation and the specific actions they took to achieve the results. They would focus on how their service made the customer feel. What to look for in an answer:

  • Effective communication skills
  • Desire to perform duties diligently
  • Eagerness to go above and beyond for customers

Example:

"At my last job, I felt there was a better way to be friendly to customers instead of greeting them in a generic way. My approach was to craft greetings that made every customer feel special, sometimes with a simple compliment. I received a lot of good feedback from customers and I was awarded Employee of the Month several times."

What would you do if a customer asked a question, and you didn't know the answer?

Customers ask a lot of questions about products or services. This question reveals whether a candidate knows when to ask for help. What to look for in an answer:

  • Desire to learn more about products and services
  • Eagerness to provide high-quality customer service
  • Ability to acknowledge and ask for help when necessary

Example:

"I understand customers may sometimes ask questions that I don't have an answer for. In such situations, I'd reach out to a nearby colleague. If they didn't know the answer, I'd contact my supervisor or manager. As the primary point of contact with customers, finding answers to their questions is my responsibility."

How would you manage an impatient customer?

The goal of this question is to determine a candidate's patience and how they handle challenging situations. What to look for in a candidate's answer:

  • Critical-thinking skills
  • Communication and interpersonal skills
  • Ability to remain calm under pressure

Example:

"If a customer was impatient or in a hurry, I'd make sure I remain calm and polite. I'd listen actively to their concerns and try to complete their purchase as quickly as possible. If I was in the middle of helping someone else, I'd direct the hurried customer to another available cashier."

Imagine your supervisor assigned a task that wasn't part of your job description. What would you do?

A retail or department supervisor may ask a cashier to perform additional tasks. The goal is to determine how a candidate responds to additional tasks and their ability to remain calm. What to look for in an answer:

  • Ability to take on more responsibility
  • Enthusiasm for taking on more tasks as needed
  • Desire to contribute to other aspects of an organisation

Example:

"If I was free or had the time, I'd perform the task that my supervisor assigned to me. I like to help wherever I'm needed, even if it's not a direct aspect of my role. I'd ask my supervisor whether they would require me to perform the task regularly. Depending on their response, I'd ask to review my contract and responsibilities together."

Why do you want to work here as a cashier?

The goal of this question is to understand what attracted a candidate to your organisation. It also reveals what they know about your company and if they conducted research to prepare for the interview. What to look for in an answer:

  • Desire to work for your organisation
  • Shared goals and values, interest in the products and services you provide
  • Evidence of preparation for the interview

Example:

"I want to work here as a cashier because I believe in your organisation's goal of making radio-controlled cars accessible to everyone. Your organisation is one of the top retail shops for these products, and I believe my product knowledge and customer service skills make me a great fit for the team."

How would you grade your communication skills?

Cashiers need strong communication skills to excel at their role. An excellent candidate knows the importance of effective communication. What to look for in an answer:

  • Ability to evaluate their communication skills and identify areas of improvement
  • Enjoys communicating with colleagues and customers
  • Experience as a cashier

Example:

"I'd grade myself a nine out of 10. I believe a cashier needs excellent communication skills to relate to customers and other employees. In my previous role, I practised my communication skills regularly and attended workshops related to other topics that interest me. I also asked for constructive criticism from trusted friends, colleagues, and supervisors. I'm eager to improve and apply my well-developed communication skills in this role."

How do you stay motivated when performing routine tasks?

As the duties of a cashier are often routine, an excellent candidate is happy to perform repetitive tasks. The goal of this question is to find out how candidates motivate themselves to work, and their preferred work style. What to look for in an answer:

  • Self-motivation
  • Experience adding, subtracting, and working with cash for long periods
  • Comfortable performing repetitive tasks

Example:

"I know my duties are routine. At my previous job, I set personal goals every day. Working as a cashier helped me discover my passion for math, which makes every day enjoyable."

Imagine a customer gave you a $50 bill for a $5 item. What change would you give them?

Cashiers need to know how to add and subtract numbers quickly. The goal of this question is to test a candidate's quick math skills and experience managing money. What to look for in an answer:

  • Accurate calculation
  • Ability to answer quickly
  • Understanding of the available bills

Example:

"I'd give them three $10 bills, a $5 bill, two toonies, and a loonie. Alternatively, I would give them two $20 bills and a $5 bill. I understand some customers appreciate having coins to use for parking meters and other small purchases. I can make change in a variety of ways depending on their preference."

Three individuals are sitting at a table with a laptop, a disposable coffee cup, notebooks, and a phone visible. Two are facing each other, while the third’s back is to the camera. The setting appears to be a bright room with large windows.

Ready to get started?

Post a job

Explore Interview Questions by Title

No search results found

    Related articles

    How to conduct a job interview
    Read article
    Best practices for virtual interviews
    Read article
    How to write a candidate rejection email
    Read article